Weight Applicator for a Wheel and Method for Utilizing the Same

ABSTRACT

A weight applicator for a wheel of a tire-wheel assembly is disclosed. The weight applicator includes an arm portion and an applicator portion connected to the arm portion. The applicator includes a radially-extending flange portion. The radially-extending flange portion is connected to the arm portion. A first plunger portion is movably-connected to the radially-extending flange portion by one or more first radial arms. A method is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/121,929 filed on Dec. 12, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a wheel of a tire-wheel assembly and to amethod and apparatus for processing at least a wheel of a tire-wheelassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

It is known in the art that a tire-wheel assembly is processed inseveral steps. Usually, conventional methodologies that conduct suchsteps require a significant capital investment and human oversight. Thepresent invention overcomes drawbacks associated with the prior art bysetting forth a device utilized for processing at least a wheel of atire-wheel assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a weight applicator for a wheelin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a side, cross-sectional view of a wheel and aside view of the weight applicator of FIG. 1 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a top view of the wheel and weight applicator ofFIGS. 2A-2C in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a weight applicator for a wheelin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a side, cross-sectional view of a wheel and aside view of the weight applicator of FIG. 4 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a top view of the wheel and weight applicator ofFIGS. 5A-5D in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a weight applicator for a wheelin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of a wheel and a sideview of the weight applicator of FIG. 7 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate a top view of a wheel and a top, partialcross-sectional view of the weight applicator of FIG. 7 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a weight applicatorfor a wheel and method for using the same in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Based on the foregoing, it is to begenerally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply forconvenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be giventhe broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wheel, W, and a weight applicator 10 is shown inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, thewheel, W, and weight applicator 10 are axially aligned with an axis,A-A. In an embodiment, the axis, A-A, is generally co-axial with an arm12 of the weight applicator 10. Further, in an embodiment, the axis,A-A, extends through a central, axial opening, W_(O), defined by thewheel, W.

In an embodiment, the arm 12 may extend from and be connected to arobotic device, R (see, e.g., FIG. 10). In an embodiment, the roboticdevice, R, may be automated such that the robotic device, R, maymanipulate one or more of the wheel, W, and a tire, T, connected to thewheel, W, in order to join the tire, T, and wheel, W, for assembling atire-wheel assembly, TW.

Further, in an embodiment, the robotic device, R, may be centrallypositioned among a plurality of sub-stations to define a single-cellworkstation. In an embodiment, each sub-station may be dedicated to aparticular function during the processing/assembly of the tire-wheelassembly, TW. In an embodiment, each sub-station may perform a dedicatedtask, such as, for example, the lubricating/soaping of a wheel, W, themounting of a tire, T, to a wheel, W, the balancing of a tire, T, andthe wheel, W, and the inflation of the tire, T, that is mounted to thewheel, W.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10, a single-cell workstation, S, mayinclude a plurality of sub-stations, S1-S4, that are each dedicated tothe stowing/retrieval of one or more weights at sub-station, S1, theapplication of one or more weights at sub-station, S2, the auditbalancing of the tire-wheel assembly (that includes an applied weight)at sub-station, S3, and the re-working of the audited tire-wheelassembly, TW, at sub-station, S4 (if, e.g., the tire-wheel assembly, TW,remains un-balanced after an application of one or more weights).Functionally, in an embodiment, the arm 12 may retrieve one or moreunique weights from one or more bins of a plurality of bins atsub-station, S1. Then, the arm 12 moves from sub-station, S1, tosub-station, S2, in order to apply the retrieved weight to the wheel, W.Later, the arm 12 moves the weight-applied tire-wheel assembly, TW, tosub-station, S3, to audit the balancing of the weight-applied tire-wheelassembly, TW, and, if the tire-wheel assembly, TW, remains un-balanced,the arm 12 moves the weight-applied tire-wheel assembly to sub-station,S4, for re-working/investigation.

It will be appreciated that the robotic device, R, may be programmedwith, or, receives instructions regarding which bin to interface with atsub-station, S1, in order to retrieve a desired style/type of weight tobe applied to the wheel, W. Further, it will be appreciated that therobotic device, R, may be programmed with or receives instructions atsub-station, S2, regarding a particular location on the wheel, W, wherethe retrieved one or more weights should be placed.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that, in an embodiment, thewheel, W, may be located at, for example, the sub-station, S2; as such,in an embodiment, the wheel, W, is shown without the tire, T, joinedthereto. However, it will be appreciated that the foregoing discussionof the weight applicator 10 is not limited to an arm 12 extending from arobotic device, R, and, further, it will be appreciated that the wheel,W, is not necessarily located at a sub-station, S2, of a plurality ofsub-stations, S1-S4, of a single-cell workstation, S. In an embodiment,it will be appreciated that the arm 12 is not limited to extending froma robotic device, R, and, further, it will be appreciated that theweight applicator 10 is not limited to conducting work upon a wheel, W,located at a sub-station, S2, of a single-cell workstation, S.

In an embodiment, as seen at FIG. 1, an applicator portion 14 isattached to and extends radially away from the arm 12. In an embodiment,the applicator portion 14 includes a radial flange portion 16 and aradial plunger portion 18. In an embodiment, the flange portion 16 isradially-fixed to the arm 12. In an embodiment, the plunger portion 18is movably-connected to the flange portion 16 in a radial direction.

In an embodiment, the plunger portion 18 includes an outer, arcuatesurface 20. In an embodiment, a wheel weight, Z, is removably-attachedto the outer, arcuate surface 20.

In an embodiment, the wheel weight, Z, includes a first surface, Z₁, anda second surface, Z₂. In an embodiment, each of the first and secondsurfaces, Z₁, Z₂, include an adhesive.

In an embodiment, the first surface, Z₁, of the weight, Z, isremovably-attached to the outer arcuate surface 20 with the adhesive. Asdescribed in the foregoing disclosure, the second surface, Z₂, of theweight, Z, is affixed to the wheel, W, with the adhesive (see, e.g.,FIGS. 2C, 3C) by the plunger portion 18.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3A, the arm 12 is moved according to thedirection of the arrow, Y, for interfacing the arm 12 with the wheel, W.In an embodiment, the arm 12 is interfaced with/removably-connected tothe wheel, W, by an interfacing portion 22.

In an embodiment, the interfacing portion 22 includes an axial portion24 extending axially from the arm 12 and a radial portion 26 extendingradially from the arm 12. In an embodiment, the axial portion 24 isdesigned to be inserted into and through the central, axial opening,W_(O), of the wheel, W. In an embodiment, the radial portion 26 isdesigned to be disposed adjacent a hub surface, W_(S), of the wheel, W.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3B, once the interfacing portion 22 connectsthe weight applicator 10 to the wheel, W, the arm 12 is rotated/pivotedaccording to the direction of the arrow, P. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the arm 12 is pivoted approximately 170°. In an embodiment,the pivoting movement, P, of the arm 12 may be automatically or manuallyconducted. In an embodiment, the pivoting movement, P, permits theweight applicator 10 to be adjusted such that the plunger portion 18 maybe arranged in an opposing relationship with a portion of an innersurface, W₁, of the wheel, W, where it is desired to locate the weight,Z. The location of the weight, Z, upon the inner surface, W₁, of thewheel, W, may be discovered/determined in an earlier balancingoperation.

Once pivoted according to the direction of the arrow, P, the plungerportion 18 is moved radially-outwardly and away from the flange portion16 according to the direction of the arrow, X. In an embodiment, one ormore arms 28, which may be, for example, hydraulically-actuated, mayradially move the plunger portion 18 away from the flange portion 16.

In an embodiment, the one or more arms 28 radially extend the plungerportion 18 away from the flange portion 16 according to the direction ofthe arrow, X, at a distance, D (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). The distance, D, issufficient to locate the second surface, Z₂, of the weight, Z, adjacentan inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, for affixing the weight, Z, tothe wheel, W, by way of the adhesive applied to the second surface, Z₂,of the weight, Z.

In an embodiment, it will be appreciated that the weight, Z, may includean arcuate shape that is substantially similar to the arcuate outersurface 20 of the plunger portion 18. In an embodiment, the arcuateshape of the weight, Z, and the arcuate outer surface 20 of the plungerportion 18 permits the plunger portion 18 to dispose the weight, Z,substantially adjacent the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W.

Referring to FIGS. 2C and 3C, the weight, Z, is shown affixed to theinner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W. Once affixed to the inner surface,W₁, of the wheel, W, the one or more arms 28 may radially withdraw theplunger portion 18 away from the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W,according to the direction of arrow, X′, which is substantially oppositethe direction of the arrow, X, such that the first surface, Z₁, of theweight, Z, is detached from the outer arcuate surface 20 of the plungerportion 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, a weight applicator 100 is shown in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. In embodiment, the weight applicator 100is substantially similar to the weight applicator 10, having anapplicator portion 14. However, the weight applicator 100 not onlyincludes the plunger portion 18 (hereinafter referred to as the “firstplunger portion”), but, the weight applicator 100 also includes a secondplunger portion 102. In an embodiment, the second plunger portion 102 isconnected to flange portion 16 and is arranged in a substantiallydiametric relationship to that of the first plunger portion 18 to definethe applicator portion 14.

In an embodiment, as seen at FIGS. 5A-6B, the second plunger portion 102is substantially similar to the first plunger portion 18 in structureand function with the exception that the second plunger portion 102 doesnot function in a manner by carrying the weight, Z, and subsequentlyapplying the weight, Z, to the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, asdescribed above in FIGS. 2A-3C. Rather, the second plunger portion 102includes a wheel engagement portion 104 attached to and extendingradially away from the arcuate outer surface 106 of the second plungerportion 102. In an embodiment, the arm 12 may be pivoted according tothe direction of the arrow, P (see, e.g., FIGS. 5B and 6B), and,subsequently, the second plunger portion 102 may be moved radiallyoutwardly according to the direction of the arrow, X, as similarlydescribed above such that the wheel engagement portion 104 may performone or more functions.

In an embodiment, the wheel engagement portion 104 may be extendedradially outwardly away from the flange portion 16 according to thedirection of the arrow, X, to function in a manner that, for example,cleans, wipes or vacuums dirt, dust or debris away from a portion of theinner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W. In an embodiment, by cleaning,wiping or vacuuming away dirt, dust or debris away from a portion of theinner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, the second surface, Z₂, of theweight, Z, may be later attached to the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel,W, without any interference from the dust, dirt or debris that mayotherwise compromise the adhesive bond of the weight, Z, and the innersurface, W₁, of the wheel, W.

In an alternative embodiment, the wheel engagement portion 104 may beextended radially outward away from the flange portion 16 according tothe direction of the arrow, X, to function in a manner, for example,that applies an adhesive to a portion of the inner surface, W₁, of thewheel, W, where the weight is to be applied. Accordingly, if, forexample, the second surface, Z₂, of the weight, Z, does not includeadhesive, the wheel engagement portion 104 may prepare the innersurface, W₁, of the wheel, W, with an adhesive in order to adhesivelybond the weight, Z, to the wheel, W. Alternatively, if, for example, thesecond surface, Z₂, of the weight, Z, already includes adhesive, thewheel engagement portion 104 may prepare the inner surface, W₁, of thewheel, W, with an adhesive in order to supplement the adhesive bond ofthe weight, Z, and the wheel, W.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 5B, if the wheel engagement portion104 functions as an adhesive applicator as described above, the flangeportion 16, for example, may further define a liquid adhesive reservoir,which is shown generally at 108. It will be appreciated that, if, forexample, the wheel engagement portion 104 functions in a manner thatcleans the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, the reservoir 108 mayfunction as a stowage compartment for the removed dirt, dust or debris.

Further, in an embodiment, it will be appreciated that the one or morearms 110 that movably-connect the second plunger portion 102 to theflange portion 16 may be hollowed to define a fluid flow channel 112that communicates the adhesive from the reservoir 108 toward the wheelengagement portion 104. Further, the second plunger portion 102 may alsodefine a fluid flow channel 114 that connects the fluid flow channel 112of the one or more arms 110 to the wheel engagement portion 104.

In an embodiment, to communicate the adhesive from the reservoir 108 andfluid flow channels 112, 114 to the wheel engagement portion 104, theweight applicator 100 may further comprise a pump 116 that is connectedto a controller (not shown). Further, in an embodiment, the wheelengagement portion 104 may further define a substantially porousmaterial, such as, for example, a sponge, that permits the adhesive tobe wicked upon the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W. Although thewheel engagement portion 104 is described to include functions ofremoving dust, dirt, or debris or applying an adhesive, it will beappreciated that the wheel engagement portion 104 is not limited to asingle particular function and that the wheel engagement portion 104 mayperform one or more functions such as, for example, the functionsdescribed above.

Once the wheel engagement portion 104 has worked on the inner surface,W₁, of the wheel, W, as described above, the wheel engagement portion104 may be radially withdrawn away from the inner surface, W₁, of thewheel, W, in direction substantially opposite the direction of thearrow, X. Referring to FIGS. 5C, 6C, the arm 12 may be pivotedapproximately 180° in order to locate the first plunger portion 18proximate the portion of the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, wherethe second plunger portion 104 worked upon the inner surface, W₁, of thewheel, W.

Then, the first plunger portion 18 may be radially extended according tothe direction of the arrow, X, in order to affix the weight, Z, to theinner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W. Referring to FIGS. 5D, 6D, the firstplunger portion 18 may then be radially withdrawn according to thedirection of the arrow, X′, which is substantially opposite thedirection of the arrow, X, such that the first surface, Z₁, of theweight, Z, is detached from the outer arcuate surface 20 of the plungerportion 18 in order to affix the weight, Z, to the inner surface, W₁, ofthe wheel, W.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, a weight applicator 200 is shown in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. In embodiment, the weightapplicator 200 is substantially similar to the weight applicator 100.However, the weight applicator 200 includes a pair of applicatorportions 202, which are shown generally at 204 a, 204 b, rather than asingle applicator portion, which is shown generally at 14. Each of thefirst and second applicator portions 204 a, 204 b include first andsecond plunger portions 18 a, 18 b and 104 a, 104 b.

As illustrated, a first applicator portion 204 a of the pair ofapplicator portions 202 is axially spaced away from a second applicatorportion 204 b of the pair of applicator portions 202. In an embodiment,the arm 12 may include, for example, a single, unitary axial segmentthat pivots both of the first and second applicator portion 204 a, 204 bin unison. However, it will be appreciated that the arm 12 may besegmented at a seam 201, such that the arm 12 may include two or moreaxial segments 201 a, 201 b.

In an embodiment, the first applicator portion 204 a may be attached toa first axial segment 201 a of the arm 12 as the second applicatorportion 204 b is attached to a second axial segment 201 b of the arm 12.Accordingly, by attaching each of the first and second applicatorportions 204 a, 204 b to separate axial segments 201 a, 201 b of the arm12, it will be appreciated that the first and second applicator portions204 a, 204 b may be pivoted independently of one another and not, forexample, in unison.

In an embodiment, the first plunger portions are shown generally at 18a, 18 b, and, the second plunger portions are shown generally at 104 a,104 b. The first plunger portions 18 a, 18 b and the second plungerportions 104 a, 104 b function substantially similar as that describedabove such that at least a first weight, Z1, and a second weight, Z2,are attached to the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, in anaxially-spaced relationship according to the axial spacing of the firstand second applicator portions 204 a, 204 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9F, the weight applicator 200 is described inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, eachof the first plunger portions 18 a, 18 b may be further characterized bya cavity 206 that extends from the arcuate outer surface 20 toward arear surface 30 of each of the first plunger portions 18 a, 18 b. In anembodiment, a biased pressure applicator 208 may be disposed within andconnected to the cavity 206.

In an embodiment, the biased pressure applicator 208 may include aspring member 210 having a first end 212 affixed to a rear wall 214 ofthe cavity 206. Further, the biased pressure applicator 208 may includea head, roller or the like, which is shown generally at 216, that isaffixed to a second end 218 of the spring member 210.

In an embodiment, as seen in FIG. 9A, prior to moving one or more of thefirst plunger portions 18 a, 18 b in the direction of the arrow, X, thespring member 210 is biased to an extended state such that a portion 220of the spring member 210 proximate the second end 218 that is attachedto the roller 216 extends past the arcuate outer surface 20. Then, asseen in FIG. 9B, upon moving the plunger portion 18 a, 18 b in thedirection of the arrow, X, the roller 216 engages the inner surface, W₁,of the wheel, W, which results in the spring member 210 being compressedsuch that the portion 220 of the spring member 210 proximate the secondend 218 is retracted within the cavity 206. It will be appreciated,however, that at least a portion 222 of the roller 216 extends past thearcuate outer surface 20 while in contact with the inner surface, W₁, ofthe wheel, W.

Referring to FIG. 9C, the first plunger portion 18 a, 18 b may be moveda relatively short distance, D_(X), away from the inner surface, W₁, ofthe wheel, W, according to the direction of the arrow, X′, such that theweight, Z1, Z2, is detached from the outer arcuate surface 20 of theplunger portion 18 in order to affix the weight, Z1, Z2, to the innersurface, W₁, of the wheel, W. As such, the bias of the spring member 210results in the roller 216 being extended out of the cavity 206 as theroller 216 is in contact with the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W.

Referring to FIG. 9D, while maintaining the relatively short distance,D_(X), between the arcuate outer surface 20 and the inner surface, W₁,of the wheel, W, the arm 12 is pivoted according to the direction of thearrow, P. When pivoted according to the direction of the arrow, P, theroller 216 comes into contact with one or more of the inner surface, W₁,of the wheel, W, and the first surface, Z₁, of the weight, Z1, Z2.

Referring to FIG. 9E, the arm 12 is further pivoted according to thedirection of the arrow, P, such that the roller 216 no longer contactthe inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, and is substantially in contactwith the first surface, Z₁, of the weight, Z1, Z2. When arranged asshown in FIG. 9E, a thickness, T, of the weight, Z1, Z2, results in theroller 216 compressing the spring member 210 such that substantiallyonly about the portion 222 of the roller 216 extends past the arcuateouter surface 20.

In an embodiment, it will be appreciated that when the arm 12 is pivotedaccording to the direction of the arrow, P, the bias of the springmember 210 results in the roller 216 applying a force to the firstsurface, Z₁, of the weight, Z1, Z2, according to the direction of thearrow, F. By applying the force, F, to the first surface, Z₁, of theweight, Z1, Z2, it will be appreciated that the roller 216 may reinforcethe adhesive bond of the weight, Z1, Z2, to the inner surface, W₁, ofthe wheel, W. The reinforcement of the adhesive bond with the appliedforce, F, may repair the bond if, for example, the adhesive bond wascompromised when the weight, Z1, Z2, was separated from the firstplunger portion 18 a, 18 b when the first plunger portion 18 a, 18 bmoved away from the inner surface, W₁, of the wheel, W, according to thedirection of the arrow, X′.

Referring to FIG. 9F, the arm 12 may be further rotated according to thedirection of the arrow, P, such that the roller 216 is no longer incontact with the first surface, Z₁, of the weight, Z1, Z2. By pivotingthe arm 12 according to the direction of the arrow, P, it will beappreciated that the arm 12 functionally ‘sweeps’ the roller 216 acrosssubstantially all of the first surface, Z₁, of the weight, Z1, Z2, inorder to apply the force, F, to the entire arcuate length, L, of theweight, Z1, Z2.

Although the cavity 206 and biased pressure applicator 208 are shown anddescribed in association with the weight applicator 200 having the pairof applicator portions 202, it will be appreciated that the invention isnot limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, it will beappreciated that either of the weight applicators 10, 100 may bedesigned to include the cavity 206 and biased pressure applicator 208 inconjunction with the first plunger portion 18.

The present invention has been described with reference to certainexemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention inspecific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments describedabove. This may be done without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and shouldnot be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention isdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by thepreceding description.

1.-23. (canceled)
 24. A method for correcting an unbalance on a vehiclewheel including a rim and a tire by adhesive-bonding at least onecorrective element to an attachment surface on an inside of the rim,comprising the following steps: measuring the unbalance of the vehiclewheel in an unbalance measuring station and producing correction dataindicative of an amount of weights and attachment locations of the atleast one corrective element relative to two correction planes anddiameters of attachment surfaces in the cavity of the rim; providing thecorrection data to a control device; controlling an applicator head of abalancing station, wherein the applicator head includes two mounts forreceiving, respectively, a first corrective element of the at least onecorrective element and a second corrective element of the at least onecorrective element; transferring the vehicle wheel from the unbalancemeasuring station to a balancing station by means of a gripper arrangedon a handling device, wherein said gripper grips the vehicle wheel andlocates the vehicle wheel at the balancing station; providing the firstcorrective element and the second corrective element each with one sidecoated with an adhesive upon the applicator head of the balancingstation; arranging the first corrective element in the cavity of the rimsuch that the first corrective element reaches a first correction planeof the two correction planes and a first attachment location on theattachment surface, and fastening the first corrective element to thefirst attachment location by pressing the adhesive-coated side of thefirst corrective element against an attachment surface of the rim;arranging a second corrective element in the cavity of the rim such thatthe second corrective element reaches a second correction plane of thetwo correction planes and a second attachment location of the attachmentsurface, and fastening the second corrective element to the secondattachment location by pressing the adhesive-coated side of the secondcorrective element against the attachment surface of the rim; andtransferring the balanced vehicle wheel from the balancing station to anoutgoing conveyor unit for further transportation and handing-over thebalanced vehicle wheel to the outgoing conveyor unit by the gripper onthe handling device.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein thetwo mounts of the applicator head are axially spaced from each other bya distance corresponding to the relative distance of the correctionplanes.
 26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the balancingstation contains an assortment of corrective elements of differentamounts of weight.
 27. A device for correcting an unbalance on a vehiclewheel including a rim and a tire by adhesive-bonding at least onecorrective element to an attachment surface on an inside of the rim,comprising: an unbalance measuring station for measuring the unbalanceof the vehicle wheel and for generating correction data indicative of anamount of weight and an attachment location of at least one correctiveelement relative to at least one correction plane and a diameter of anattachment surface on the hollow inside of the wheel rim; a handlingdevice mounting a gripper for transferring the measured vehicle wheel toa balancing station, wherein said gripper being configured for grippingthe vehicle wheel, wherein said handling device being configured forlocating the vehicle wheel at the balancing station; a transmittingdevice for transmitting the correction data to a control device forcontrolling the balancing station, wherein said balancing stationincludes an applicator head having at least one mount for receiving atleast one corrective element, wherein said applicator head beingdimensioned to be able to enter into the cavity of the wheel rim,wherein said applicator head being rotatable about an axis into anyattachment position on the attachment surface by means of a rotary drivemechanism controllable by the control device, wherein a first mount ofthe at least one mount for receiving a first corrective element of theat least one corrective element is arranged on a support member of theapplicator head, wherein a second mount of the at least one mount forreceiving a second corrective element of the at least one correctiveelement is arranged on the support member.
 28. The device according toclaim 27, wherein the applicator head includes a pressure-applyingdevice for pressing the at least one corrective element against theattachment surface of the rim.
 29. An apparatus, comprising: a componentof weight applicator that applies a weight to a surface of a wheel of atire-wheel assembly, including: a plunger portion defining a cavity; anda biased pressure applicator connected to the plunger portion anddisposed within the cavity.
 30. The apparatus according to claim 29,wherein the biased pressure applicator applies a biased,radially-outwardly-directed force with respect to the plunger portionfor enhancing an adhesive connection of the weight to the surface of thewheel of the tire-wheel assembly.
 31. The apparatus according to claim29, wherein the biased pressure applicator includes: a head, and aspring member having a first end on a second end, wherein the first endis attached to a wall of the cavity, wherein the second end is attachedto the head.
 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein one ormore of the second end of the spring member and the head areadjustably-located proximate an outer, substantially arcuate surface ofthe plunger portion, wherein at least a portion of the head isadjustably biased by the spring member beyond the outer, substantiallyarcuate surface of the plunger portion.
 33. The apparatus according toclaim 29, wherein the plunger portion includes: an outer, substantiallyarcuate surface that permits the plunger portion to be indirectlyinterfaced with a substantially arcuate surface of the wheel by way ofthe weight that is removably-attached to the outer, substantiallyarcuate surface of the first plunger portion for depositing andattaching the weight to the substantially arcuate surface of the wheel.34. The apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising: an armportion; a flange portion supported by the arm portion; and at least oneplunger arm that moveably-connects the plunger portion to the flangeportion.
 35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the armportion includes: a distal end having an interfacing portion includingan axial portion and a radial portion, wherein the interfacing portionpermits the arm portion to be axially-interfaced with a central openingof the wheel of a tire-wheel assembly.
 36. An apparatus, comprising: acomponent of weight applicator that applies a weight to a surface of awheel of a tire-wheel assembly, including: an adhesive fluid reservoir;a plunger portion defining an adhesive fluid channel that is in fluidcommunication with the adhesive fluid reservoir; and a wicking member influid communication with the adhesive fluid channel for deliveringadhesive from the adhesive fluid reservoir through the adhesive fluidchannel and out of the plunger portion for depositing the adhesive uponthe surface of the wheel of the tire-wheel assembly.
 37. The apparatusaccording to claim 36, further comprising: a pump in fluid communicationwith the adhesive fluid reservoir.
 38. The apparatus according to claim36, further comprising: an arm portion; and a flange portion supportedby the arm portion, wherein the flange portion forms the adhesive fluidreservoir.
 39. The apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising:at least one plunger arm that moveably-connects the plunger portion tothe flange portion, wherein the at least one plunger arm forms anadhesive fluid conduit that fluidly-connects the adhesive fluidreservoir to the adhesive fluid channel.
 40. The apparatus according toclaim 38, wherein the arm portion includes: a distal end having aninterfacing portion including an axial portion and a radial portion,wherein the interfacing portion permits the arm portion to beaxially-interfaced with a central opening of the wheel of a tire-wheelassembly.
 41. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the plungerportion includes: an outer, substantially arcuate surface that permitsthe plunger portion to be indirectly interfaced with a substantiallyarcuate surface of the wheel by way of the weight that isremovably-attached to the outer, substantially arcuate surface of thefirst plunger portion for depositing and attaching the weight to thesubstantially arcuate surface of the wheel.
 42. An apparatus,comprising: a component of weight applicator that applies a weight to asurface of a wheel of a tire-wheel assembly, including: a plungerportion defining a fluid channel; a vacuum source in fluid communicationwith the fluid channel that removes debris from the surface of thewheel.
 43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the vacuumsource is a pump.
 44. The apparatus according to claim 42, furthercomprising: an arm portion; a flange portion supported by the armportion, wherein the flange portion forms the adhesive fluid; and atleast one plunger arm that moveably-connects the plunger portion to theflange portion.
 45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the armportion includes: a distal end having an interfacing portion includingan axial portion and a radial portion, wherein the interfacing portionpermits the arm portion to be axially-interfaced with a central openingof the wheel of a tire-wheel assembly.
 46. The apparatus according toclaim 42, wherein the plunger portion includes: an outer, substantiallyarcuate surface that permits the plunger portion to be indirectlyinterfaced with a substantially arcuate surface of the wheel by way ofthe weight that is removably-attached to the outer, substantiallyarcuate surface of the first plunger portion for depositing andattaching the weight to the substantially arcuate surface of the wheel.47. A method for attaching a weight to a surface of a wheel of atire-wheel assembly, comprising the steps of: providing one or moreradially-directed plunger portions that is/are connected to an armportion; and utilizing a component of the one or more radially-directedplunger portions for conducting work upon the surface of the wheel ofthe tire-wheel assembly, wherein the work includes at least one of: (1)applying a biased, radially-outwardly-directed force with respect to theplunger portion for enhancing an adhesive connection of the weight tothe surface of the wheel of the tire-wheel assembly, (2) depositingadhesive upon the surface of the wheel of the tire-wheel assembly priorattaching the weight to the surface of the wheel, and (3) removingdebris from the surface of the wheel of the tire-wheel assembly prior toattaching the weight to the surface of the wheel.
 48. The methodaccording to claim 47, wherein prior to the utilizing step, furthercomprising the steps of: axially-moving the arm portion for positioningthe one or more radially-directed plunger portions proximate a wheel;pivoting one or more of the arm portion and the one or moreradially-directed plunger portions for positioning the one or moreradially-directed plunger portions proximate a portion of the surface ofthe wheel; radially-extending the one or more radially-directed plungerportions away from the arm portion for engaging the portion of thesurface of the wheel.
 49. The method according to claim 48, furthercomprising the steps of: removably-attaching a weight to the one or moreradially-directed plunger portions; attaching the weight adjacent thesurface of the wheel upon radially-extending the one or moreradially-directed plunger portions away from the arm portion forengaging the portion of the surface of the wheel; andradially-retracting the one or more radially-directed plunger portionsaway from the surface of the wheel for detaching the weight from the oneor more radially-directed plunger portions.